The purposes of this study are to determine the effect of physical therapy on length of stay (LOS), functional status and the knowledge in follow-up exercise program in patients received total knee arthroplasty. Patients received unilateral total knee arthroplasty in a university hospital were recruited in this study. Patients were divided into experimental and control group (22 each) according to the operation date. The results showed the LOS was significantly shorter in experimental group (10.3 days vs. 11.3days, p=0.013). More patients in the experimental group walked with corrected gait pattern and appropriate walking aids (p<0.005). Besides, the patients in experimental group had better knowledge about post-surgery course and the follow-up exercise program. Further study should emphasize on the long-term follow-up of patients' outcome to verify the significance of physical therapy for these patients.
The purposes of this study are to determine the effect of physical therapy on length of stay (LOS), functional status and the knowledge in follow-up exercise program in patients received total knee arthroplasty. Patients received unilateral total knee arthroplasty in a university hospital were recruited in this study. Patients were divided into experimental and control group (22 each) according to the operation date. The results showed the LOS was significantly shorter in experimental group (10.3 days vs. 11.3days, p=0.013). More patients in the experimental group walked with corrected gait pattern and appropriate walking aids (p<0.005). Besides, the patients in experimental group had better knowledge about post-surgery course and the follow-up exercise program. Further study should emphasize on the long-term follow-up of patients' outcome to verify the significance of physical therapy for these patients.